Gangliocytic paraganglioma of the gastrointestinal tract; a case report of cecal origin

Pulmonary gangliocytic paraganglioma: An under-recognized mimic of carcinoid tumor

Gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare neoplasms occurring almost exclusively in the ampullary region of the gastrointestinal tract. Although these tumors are not typically considered in the differential diagnosis of primary pulmonary neoplasia, 5 cases of primary pulmonary gangliocytic paragangliomas have been previously reported. Herein we report our experience with 3 additional examples, all referred to our Anatomic Pathology Consultation service. The patients (a 32-year-old man, a 69-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man) each presented with an endobronchial (2 cases) or upper lobe lung mass, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 cm in maximum dimension. Biopsy and endobronchial debulking specimens demonstrated the classic triphasic morphology of gangliocytic paraganglioma, with epithelial, spindled and ganglion-like cells. By immunohistochemistry, the tumors were positive for keratin, synaptophysin and chromogranin A in the epithelial component, S100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the Schwannian spindled cells, and synaptophysin in ganglion cells. TTF1 expression was seen in the epithelial components of 2 cases. The Ki-67 labelling index was low (<2%). Primary pulmonary gangliocytic paragangliomas should be distinguished from carcinoid tumors, given the different natural histories and risk stratification approaches for these morphologically similar tumors. Awareness that gangliocytic paraganglioma may occur in the lung and appropriate immunohistochemical studies are key to correct diagnosis.

Is Gangliocytic Paraganglioma Designated as a Subtype of Composite Paragangliomas and Originated From Pancreas Islet? A Case Report and Review of Literature

Gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is quite rare, and origin and entity remain to be elucidated. A 51-year-old man presented with GP as a sessile polyp with a smooth surface that measured about 1 cm in diameter in the descending portion of duodenum. Pathological examination displayed that a neoplasm was predominantly located in the submucosa and infiltrated mucosa focally. The tumor consisted of epithelioid, ganglion-like, and spindle cells admixing in a haphazard way. The epithelioid cells resembled paraganglioma in cytological and architectural features. The ganglion-like cells were scattered and merged with the bland spindle cells in fascicular clusters, which resembled ganglioneuroma. Synaptophysin (Syn), microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2), and chromogranin A (CgA) were positive in the epithelioid and ganglion-like cells in variety, and neurofilament (NF) staining highlighted the ganglion-like cells. S-100 and SOX-10 were positive in the spindle cell proliferation and around the epithelioid cells. Progesterone receptor (PR) was positive in the epithelioid cells. The polyp was resected, and no adjuvant therapy was given. The patient remained with no recurrence in 2 years' follow-up. Origin of GP is presumed to be related to pancreas islet. GP is distinguished from neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G1 and designated as paraganglioma-ganglioneuroma, a kind of composite paragangliomas.